Social Worker

Help create a path from crisis to stability. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Social Worker to join our Safe Harbor team within the Department of Detention and Corrections. Pinellas Safe Harbor serves as both an emergency homeless shelter and a jail diversion program, providing a safe environment and access to services for individuals experiencing homelessness, including those involved in or re-entering the community from the criminal justice system. In this role, you will provide crisis intervention, assessments, counseling, case management, referrals, and supportive services designed to address individual needs, reduce barriers, and help residents work toward stability and self-sufficiency.

The ideal candidate is an adaptable and highly professional social work practitioner who can establish rapport with individuals facing complex behavioral, mental health, substance use, housing, and social challenges. They exercise sound judgment, remain composed during crisis situations, and are skilled at connecting individuals with appropriate resources and services. The successful candidate is resourceful, nonjudgmental, and comfortable collaborating with law enforcement personnel, treatment providers, community organizations, and other social service partners to coordinate care and support positive outcomes.

• Performs crisis intervention; counsels inmates and/or persons experiencing homelessness, individually and in groups
• Facilitates classes that pertain to specific needs and risk factors
• Coordinates and facilitates telephonic and virtual hearings and conferences
• Provides PREA inmate education via cell side for special populations
• Schedules events in the jail management system or navigates the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Enhances the coping, problem solving, responsible decision making, and self-actualizing capabilities of inmates or persons experiencing homelessness through motivational interviewing
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with contact persons at pertinent agencies and programs to include conducting field visits to various community programs to ascertain appropriate referrals
• Helps to maintain positive communication between staff, support persons, and the inmate or shelter resident
• Plans and implements behavior modification strategies for inmates or persons experiencing homelessness
• Screens and initiates requests for appropriate response and referral in a timely manner
• Provides documentation of inmate contacts/counseling through the jail management system and/or documenting contact and worked performed in HMIS
• Provides appropriate social histories and/or assessments of persons experiencing homelessness and counseling
• Works alongside deputies within the secured areas of the jail or in the community
• Assists in transporting persons experiencing homelessness for necessary appointments and housing opportunities
• Prepares written weekly and/or monthly Social Worker reports
• Notarizes documents
• Assists in training personnel
• Observes and assesses inmate/shelter resident behavior, environmental conditions, and safety risks while maintaining strong situational awareness, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
• This position may be considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, may be required to report to work
• Participates in Sheriff's Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice or related field
• Two (2) years' experience in a correctional environment or related case management
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license
• Consideration for this position requires a credit check

• Knowledge of social work theory and practice
• Knowledge of criminogenic risk factors and needs
• Knowledge of individual and group counseling theories and techniques
• Knowledge of human behavior processes
• Knowledge of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and available social service, educational, vocational, and rehabilitative programs at the county and state level.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice process and court procedures.
• Knowledge of the State Department of Corrections regulation 33-8, Sheriff's Office rules and regulations as applied to correctional work
• Skilled in public speaking and able to facilitate groups
• Ability to render social work and counseling services professionally and effectively to inmates or persons experiencing homelessness
• Ability to establish and maintain professional rapport with inmates and to function effectively within a correctional environment in a nonjudgmental and culturally responsive manner.
• Ability to provide crisis intervention services with professionalism and composure
• Ability to prepare timely, clear, and concise reports, case notes, and correspondence
• Ability to exercise strong time management, organizational, interpersonal, problem- solving, and verbal/written communication skills
• Ability to coordinate services with internal departments and communicate effectively with external agencies, as appropriate.
• Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace

The physical abilities listed below are estimates of time spent during a typical work day to perform essential functions and responsibilities. Members in this position may be required to:

• Sit up to 3 hours per day
• Stand up to 3 hours per day
• Walk up to 2 hours per day
• Continuously lift up to 10 lbs.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently squat
• Occasionally bend, climb, reach, kneel and twist